PAH: THEDISEASE PROCESS

WHAT ARE THESYMPTOMS OF PAH?

Symptoms of PAH include:

Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity

Tiredness

Chest discomfort or pain

Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting

Swelling of the arms and legs

These symptoms may not be identified as being related to PAH at first because they can be related to other, more common conditions. By the time symptoms are recognized, PAH may have been developing for some time.

If you have PAH, narrowed pulmonary arteries prevent blood from easily passing through your lungs. As a result, blood pressure rises inside your pulmonary arteries, and the right ventricle of your heart must pump harder to compensate. Over time, this extra work weakens your heart, and it gradually loses its ability to pump as much blood as your body needs.